Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

 Press Review

Press Review

President Freiberga yesterday handed over the draft law on amendments to Energy Law initiated by the opposition. In case Saeima rejects this draft or adopts it with changes it will be passed over to the public referendum. The draft law forbids privatization and division of Latvenergo. The ruling parties currently have different positions: Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK suggests that the draft law should be adopted in the first reading and in the second reading changes could be discussed, Latvia’s Way proposes to agree on an alternative draft law and review it simultaneously with the draft proposed by opposition. People’s Party’s alternative draft appeared yesterday.

President Freiberga yesterday handed over the draft law on amendments to Energy Law initiated by the opposition. In case Saeima rejects this draft or adopts it with changes it will be passed over to the public referendum. The draft law forbids privatization and division of Latvenergo. The ruling parties currently have different positions: Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK suggests that the draft law should be adopted in the first reading and in the second reading changes could be discussed, Latvias Way proposes to agree on an alternative draft law and review it simultaneously with the draft proposed by opposition. Peoples Partys alternative draft appeared yesterday. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika

Yesterday, the National Human Rights Office asked the government to get the Saeima’s permission to extend the term for the work on language regulations. Actually it means to postpone the date for the State Language Law to become effective. The decision can be made only by the Saeima upon the government’s request. Yesterday, after the meeting of representatives of the State Language Center, National Human Rights Office and Foreign Ministry , the Center agreed to enter changes in three of the nine regulations: the Center agreed to have a written summary of theater performances in the state language instead of simultaneous translation; allowed to not translate events taking place outdoors in case the translation is technically not possible. Today, there will be another meeting of the representatives to discuss providing of translation of documents to be submitted to the state institutions and reproducing in Latvian personal names.

Yesterday, the National Human Rights Office asked the government to get the Saeimas permission to extend the term for the work on language regulations. Actually it means to postpone the date for the State Language Law to become effective. The decision can be made only by the Saeima upon the governments request. Yesterday, after the meeting of representatives of the State Language Center, National Human Rights Office and Foreign Ministry , the Center agreed to enter changes in three of the nine regulations: the Center agreed to have a written summary of theater performances in the state language instead of simultaneous translation; allowed to not translate events taking place outdoors in case the translation is technically not possible. Today, there will be another meeting of the representatives to discuss providing of translation of documents to be submitted to the state institutions and reproducing in Latvian personal names. Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii

The 5 pilots from Latvia who were tried and sentenced in India returned to Moscow yesterday. Four of them have families in Latvia and they have expressed wish to return to Latvia. Latvian authorities are ready to issue them entrance visas.

The 5 pilots from Latvia who were tried and sentenced in India returned to Moscow yesterday. Four of them have families in Latvia and they have expressed wish to return to Latvia. Latvian authorities are ready to issue them entrance visas. Diena, Vesti, Respublika

Due to liquidation of the department of strategy of education due to reorganization in the Education Ministry the head of the department Baiba Petersone will loose her position. Instead, she was offered the position of advisor to the minister on society integration issues but she did not accept it. Diena, Vesti, Chas

Due to liquidation of the department of strategy of education due to reorganization in the Education Ministry the head of the department Baiba Petersone will loose her position. Instead, she was offered the position of advisor to the minister on society integration issues but she did not accept it. Diena, Vesti, Chas

The international meeting on war crimes scheduled for the end of July will be postponed to the end of August or beginning of September as the Latvian prosecutors need time to get acquainted with the materials received from Russia in the cases of Konrâds Kalejs and Kârlis Ozols.

The international meeting on war crimes scheduled for the end of July will be postponed to the end of August or beginning of September as the Latvian prosecutors need time to get acquainted with the materials received from Russia in the cases of Konrâds Kalejs and Kârlis Ozols. Chas

Representatives of the Latvian Human Rights Committee (L. Raihman) met the head of the delegation of the European Commission Mr. Weiss to deliver the open letter signed by 60 thousand residents of Latvia addressed to international organizations. However, the discussion went mainly about the draft language regulations. Mr. Weiss had expressed surprise about the fact that one of the language proficiency degrees provided for by the regulations requires the knowledge of the state language on the level of the native language. Also, Mr. Weiss had mentioned that some articles of the State Language Law seem dubious but he stressed that the law corresponds the current arrangement of the political forces in Latvia.

Representatives of the Latvian Human Rights Committee (L. Raihman) met the head of the delegation of the European Commission Mr. Weiss to deliver the open letter signed by 60 thousand residents of Latvia addressed to international organizations. However, the discussion went mainly about the draft language regulations. Mr. Weiss had expressed surprise about the fact that one of the language proficiency degrees provided for by the regulations requires the knowledge of the state language on the level of the native language. Also, Mr. Weiss had mentioned that some articles of the State Language Law seem dubious but he stressed that the law corresponds the current arrangement of the political forces in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

Respublika interviews President Freiberga and most of the questions are about society integration, consolidation of the society, the possibility to live in the country without the knowledge of the state language, the notions Latvian people and people of Latvia, maintaining of ones ethnic identity, Latvia between the East and the West.